Top 5 post-bye week performances

The Ravens thrashed the San Diego Chargers, 24-3, ensuring the team’s first postseason berth in franchise history. It was the first time a Baltimore team had been represented in the NFL playoffs since Dec. 24, 1977 when the Colts played host to the Oakland Raiders.

The Ravens’ 35-22 victory over the New Orleans Saints marked coach Brian Billick’s first game as the offensive coordinator since the team had parted ways with Jim Fassel prior to the bye week.

Under Billick, the offense scored touchdowns on three of its first five drives (after scoring just 10 touchdowns in the previous six contests). The unit set season highs in points, first downs (21) and third-down conversions (eight).

The team regained sole possession of first place in the AFC North and went 8-1 the remainder of the season to capture the division.

The team got contributions from every unit. The defense allowed just 200 yards of total offense (the fewest by a Denver team since 2003), then-rookie Lardarius Webb returned the opening kickoff of the second half 95 yards for a touchdown, and the offense scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to cement the victory.

The team won five of its next nine games to advance to the playoffs.

Sept. 30, 2002

The Ravens earned their first win of the season after a 0-2 start by taking advantage of (again) a previously undefeated Broncos squad to the tune of a 34-23 decision.

The victory was highlighted by several key individual efforts. Cornerback Chris McAlister returned a missed field goal 108 yards for the touchdown, free safety Ed Reed blocked the first of four punts in his NFL career, and Todd Heap overshadowed the return of former mentor Shannon Sharpe by catching five receptions for 84 yards and two touchdowns.

The team scored 31 points in the second quarter, which is still the franchise record for points in a single quarter.

Reed intercepted his third pass in just his second game back from a neck/shoulder impingement, and punter Sam Koch completed a first-down pass to cornerback Cary Williams on fourth down-and-10 in the third quarter.